The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has urged the government to withdraw the ongoing smart lockdown restrictions and revise business operating hours in view of the upcoming Eid season and prevailing summer conditions.
The demand was strongly endorsed by RCCI members and traders during the RCCI Members Night ceremony, where a packed hall raised its hands in unanimous support of extending market and restaurant timings.
The Members Night event was organized by RCCI in honor of its members. The chief guest on the occasion was Brigadier Ali Anjum Syed. The event witnessed large participation from representatives of traders’ associations, business communities from city and cantonment markets, and RCCI members from Gujar Khan, Taxila, and Wah.
Addressing the gathering, RCCI President Usman Shaukat called upon the government to abolish the smart lockdown policy and allow markets to remain open until 10:00 PM, while hotels and restaurants should be permitted to operate until 12:00 midnight.
He stated that the current restrictions are not aligned with ground realities, especially considering Pakistan’s extreme summer weather, where daytime shopping becomes difficult for citizens. He further remarked that the smart lockdown has negatively impacted business activity and contributed to tax shortfalls for the government. He urged policymakers to review the restrictions in consultation with the business community.
RCCI Group Leader Sohail Altaf said that due to the intense heat, shopping during daytime hours is inconvenient for the public. He emphasized that under the government’s austerity drive, unnecessary public expenditures should be reduced instead of restricting business activities. He also demanded that markets remain open until 10:00 PM during the Eid shopping season and that restaurants either be exempted from restrictions or allowed to operate until midnight.
Event Chairman Khawaja Rashid Waien, in his welcome address, thanked the members for their participation and stated that the purpose of the event was to promote networking, exchange of ideas, and explore new business opportunities among the business community.
Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, former presidents, executive committee members, and a large number of chamber members were also present on the occasion.
